Southeast Florida Climate Summit Opens Today in Fort Lauderdale with Innovation Day

The 18th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit opens today, Wednesday 4 November 2026, at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hosted by Broward County, the three-day summit runs until 6 November under the theme “Capitalizing on Climate: Action Through Innovation”.

The summit is the flagship annual event of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a partnership launched in 2009 between Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties to coordinate climate mitigation and adaptation across the region. It brings together leaders and experts from business, government, academia and non-profit organisations.

Innovation Day opens the summit

The programme begins today with a technology-focused Innovation Day, presented by Nova Southeastern University. According to the City of Fort Lauderdale, the day features panels on resilience technology and the infrastructure decisions shaping South Florida’s future, and closes with the Collegiate and Emerging Companies Innovation Showcases, where university students and early-stage start-ups present their climate solutions to potential partners and investors.

Broward County has announced award-winning meteorologist Chase Cain, a former climate reporter for NBC News, as the summit’s opening keynote speaker. County Chief Resilience Officer Dr Jennifer Jurado said the county was thrilled to kick off the summit with Cain, who has reported on climate stories around the world.

What the three days will cover

The following two days feature global, national and local leaders and experts. Programme previews list topics ranging from water management to extreme heat and public health and waste solutions, alongside partnerships and the challenges communities already face. The City of Fort Lauderdale is a Sea Turtle sponsor of this year’s summit.

For readers following the climate calendar, the summit is a regional warm-up to the world’s biggest climate event of the month: the COP31 United Nations climate conference opens in Antalya, Türkiye, on 9 November and runs until 20 November, with its World Leaders’ Summit scheduled for 11–12 November. The Florida summit’s focus on turning climate ideas into practical, investable action echoes COP31’s stated emphasis on implementation.

Key facts

• Event: 18th Annual Southeast Florida Climate Leadership Summit, 4–6 November 2026.
• Venue: Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
• Host: Broward County, for the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact.
• Theme: “Capitalizing on Climate: Action Through Innovation”.
• Opening day: Innovation Day on 4 November, presented by Nova Southeastern University, closing with student and start-up innovation showcases.
• Keynote: Meteorologist Chase Cain, announced as the opening keynote speaker.

More climate events coverage can be found in the climate section.

Frequently asked questions

When and where is the summit?

The summit takes place from 4 to 6 November 2026 at the Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

What is this year’s theme?

The theme is “Capitalizing on Climate: Action Through Innovation”, focusing on practical climate solutions and opportunities for regional growth.

Who organises the summit?

Broward County hosts it as the flagship event of the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact, a partnership of Broward, Miami-Dade, Monroe and Palm Beach counties formed in 2009.

What happens on Innovation Day?

Innovation Day on 4 November focuses on technology, with panels on resilience technology and infrastructure decisions, and closes with showcases where students and early-stage companies pitch climate solutions.

How does the summit relate to COP31?

It takes place just before COP31, the United Nations climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, from 9 to 20 November 2026, whose leaders’ summit is scheduled for 11–12 November.